2017

One hundred years ago, the Russian Revolution of 1917 brought a radical political change. But at the same time, a lesser-known group of religious reformers were busy plotting a better future for Russia’s souls – and a new, more democratic, Orthodox Church, closer to the people. Caroline Wyatt explores whether they were simply being used by…

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Che Guevara. What would he have made of the changes taking place in Cuba today? Is he still relevant? BBC Cuba Correspondent, Will Grant talks to three different generations of Cubans to find out: Che’s friends from the revolution; his daughter Aleida and son Ernesto;…

Conversations on a Bench – Manchester Anna Scott-Brown hears more stories from the people who stop to sit beside her on benches around the country. In this edition, she sits on a bench next to Manchester’s gay village, in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing. Throughout the programme, a specially commissioned work by poet Andrew McMillan…

Bridget Minamore tells the story of the many ways that female poets, marginalized and snubbed by traditional outlets, have made and are making their voices heard. The themes explored in the programme range from 21st-century Peckham to ancient Iraq and the slave plantations of the Caribbean, as Bridget goes on a journey to uncover the…

In this lyrical and beautiful improvisation, we hear the music and stories of those playing the street pianos in St Pancras Station, London. Over the years, top performers from Sir Elton John to Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum to John Legend, have all played here – with Sir Elton signing and donating a piano. But this…

Sonia Boyce views current interest in black British art through the life of Donald Rodney, the work he left behind, his fellow artists, friends and family, and Auto Icon – a digital version of himself. Producer: Michael Clifford An Overtone production for BBC Radio 4. You can listen to the programme on BBC Radio…